"After Midnight" or "Beautiful"?

[pacificnorthwest]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 2:08pm

I'm making my way through the season's musicals (Gentleman's, Bridges, Rocky, Cabaret, soon will see If/Then and Bullets Over Broadway), I like to see as many likely Tony contenders as possible before the nominations are announced. Given that, and given your own preferences, would you recommend I put "After Midnight" or "Beautiful" at the top of my list? Seeing musicals doesn't leave me nearly enough time to see as many plays as I'd like, but am happy to say I've seen the magnificent "All the Way" once and will see it again in a couple of weeks. Are there other plays you'd recommend before I see either "After Midnight" or Beautiful"? Thank you!

[iamjwk]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 9:48pm

I would recommend Beautiful. I saw it on my trip over New Year's and enjoyed it so much I saw it a 2nd time. I also saw After Midnight and was less than impressed. I would not see it again for free. Hope that helps.

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 9:51pm

I didn't see it yet, but Casa Valentina seemed to get good reviews for its first preview. Might be worth checking out.

For planning purposes, you could do an 8p After Midnight and a 10p Hedwig on Saturdays, if you were so inclined, as they are both intermissionless one acts.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 4/2/14 at 11:37pm

I haven't seen After Midnight yet, but Beautiful is wonderful - Jessie Mueller is giving a star performance, with some wonderful supporting cast and ensemble to boot.

[BobNC]

Posted: 4/3/14 at 7:30am

Critics might have been mixed, but, "Beautiful" is, hands down, creating the best word of mouth of any musical in years. Jessie Mueller will definitely win the Tony.

[pacificnorthwest]

Posted: 4/3/14 at 8:20pm

Thank you all so much. This is very helpful!

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 4/3/14 at 9:49pm

To say Jessie Mueller will definitely win the Tony is so stupid! I'll leave it at that.

[BobNC]

Posted: 4/3/14 at 9:58pm

Jessie Mueller's portrayal of Carole King was the best reviewed performance of this past season. I'll leave it at that.

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 4/3/14 at 10:00pm

Yes and the "reviewers" are the Tony voters. How could I forget that. Nice try!

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 4/3/14 at 10:06pm

And that "word of mouth" sure isn't showing in the box office numbers.

[BobNC]

Posted: 4/3/14 at 10:33pm

Jessie was out week of 3/25. It still did 73%. Much better than most new musicals including "Bullets." Cast album debuted @#1 on Itunes show/film chart. Jessie's return will bring it back to its average 80+ % capacity.

Updated On: 4/3/14 at 10:33 PM

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 4/3/14 at 10:52pm

Talk to me when it's at 100 like If/Then. And when they hit 1 million Dollars.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/3/14 at 11:19pm

"Jessie Mueller's portrayal of Carole King was the best reviewed performance of this past season. I'll leave it at that."

... did you not read any of the reviews for Bridges. Kelli O'Hara was unanimously worshipped, and received one of the most profuse love letters I have ever seen from Brantley.

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 4/3/14 at 11:27pm

Thank you BwayPhreak. So fascinating how show groupies think they know EVERYTHING! Not to mention shows not yet reviewed. I hate stupidity!

[StickIt]

Posted: 4/3/14 at 11:40pm

The hostility against Jessie Mueller and her performance on this board is so bizarre. Kelli O'Hara just said herself that Jessie gave her favorite performance of the season. This quote is from her Show People interview:

"What I do know for sure is that if I weren't in the [Tony] race and didn't want to win something, it would be a TRAVESTY if Jessie Mueller didn't win, to be honest. She's a badass. She's a BADASS. I was torn up and rocked by her performance."

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/3/14 at 11:46pm

^ To be clear, I have NOTHING against Jessie Mueller. I am a huge fan, and she is an extremely talented performer. But making a statement like "It was THE best reviewed performance of the year" is not entirely accurate. Another performance received reviews that were just as (if not stronger) than Jessie Mueller.
I also watched the interview today, and I thought it was really cool that Kelli O'Hara said that. I have nothing but the upmost respect and admiration for both Mueller and O'Hara.

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 4/3/14 at 11:48pm

Stick It...if you could please be specific about ANY hostility against Jessie Mueller?? Please don't be dramatic. The point here is one should NEVER say someone is DEFINITELY winning the Tony.

[StickIt]

Posted: 4/3/14 at 11:49pm

Oh, I wasn't referring to you specifically, bwayphreak. I love Kelli and would be more than happy if Kelli won, to me given the reviews she and Jessie are the obvious front runners of the eligible women who have been reviewed. Obviously, there are still major shows with leading ladies yet to open so we'll see what happens going forward!

Also, broadwaystar2, your entire tone in this thread has been combative, dismissive, and rude. I don't really want to engage with that, just wanted to share some information. If the leading ladies competing against each other can be so supportive, I think we can all manage too. Updated On: 4/3/14 at 11:49 PM

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 4/4/14 at 12:01am

Once again show me where I have spoken ill about Jessie Mueller?? Because that's what you said I'm doing. And like you, I have the right to my opinion.

[BobNC]

Posted: 4/4/14 at 5:43pm

Than you must hate yourself!

[BobNC]

Posted: 4/4/14 at 5:44pm

Thanks for posting. Everyone including Kelli loves Jessie's performance!

[BobNC]

Posted: 4/4/14 at 5:47pm

So VERY rude. How many times can this person say "I hate stupidity?" Probably a few more times...
Whatever...

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 4/4/14 at 6:06pm

I've only seen Beautiful but I would high recommend it. Jessie does give one of the finest performances of the season...in a season of many fine performances.